International Journal of Trend in Scientific

Research and Development (IJTSRD)

International Open Access Journal
ISSN No: 2456 - 6470 | www.ijtsrd.com | Volume - 1 | Issue – 5

Application of Satellite Remote Sensing, GIS And GeoElectrical Resistivity

Methods for Groundwater Potential Mapping for Jos And Environs,
Plateau State, North Central Nigeria

Gujahar Rengje Danlami Rogers Abdullahi Ayegba

Department of Space Applications and Research, Department of Engineering and Space Systems,
Advanced Space Technology Application Laboratory, National Space Research and Development Agency,
Uyo, National Space Research and Development Abuja, Nigeria
Agency, Nigeria

ABSTRACT
An integrated approach of Remote sensing GIS and
geoelectrical resistivity methods was employed to
produce groundwater potential map for Jos and environs
through the GIS raster based Multi-Criteria Evaluation
(MCE) analysis of five thematic layers. These layers;
drainage density, lineament density, Landuse/cover,
slope steepness and overburden thickness were
extracted from Nigeria Sat-X, ASTERGDEM and
geoelectrical resistivity methods. The result revealed
four categories of groundwater potential zones as, very
high, high, moderate, and low. About 105km2 (18.4%)
was classified as very high
groundwater potential areas, while155km2 (27.4%) of
the study area was classified as high groundwater
potential areas. Similarly, 225km2(39.8%) was
classified as moderate potential areas and about 82km2
(14.5%)of the study area was classified as low potential
areas. The model developed was in agreement with the
borehole yield obtained in the area.
Keywords: Remote sensing, GIS, geolectrical resistivity,
groundwater
1. INTRODUCTION
The study area covers Jos and environs, north central
Nigeria which lies between longitude E8050’ 11” to
E80 54’ 49” and latitude N90 50’ 08” to N90 58’ 02”
and is underlain by Precambrian to lower Paleozoic
basement rock, intruded by the Jurassic younger
granite rocks with varying degree of fracturing and
weathering at different depths in different within the
study area. Most parts of the Jos and environs usually
faces insufficient water supply due to
overdependence on single source of water supply.
Surface water resources have long been used as the
only source of water supply for domestic and
agricultural purposes when the population of Jos
Metropolis was less, people started experiencing
water scarcity as the population grows rapidly. Since
2000, huge amount of public funds have been spend
on provision of water resources by government.
However, there is still inadequate water availability
within the area. Findings revealed that most of the
people that have pipe borne water in their houses are
not satisfied with the water supply; and whenever the
water is pumped, it does not last long. As such,
considering evaluating groundwater as a major
alternative source of water supply is indispensable to
ensure availability.
However, Remote Sensing and GIS are excellent
tools for hydrologists and hydrogeologists in
understanding the perplexing problems of
groundwater exploration (Biswas et al 2012).
Groundwater investigation is therefore often
multidisciplinary in approach and could involve
terrain analysis, geology/hydrogeology, remote
sensing and geophysics (Olorunfemi et al, 1997).
Satellite images are being increasingly used in
groundwater exploration because of their utility in
identifying various ground features, which may serve

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 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456-6470
either as direct or indirect indicators of groundwater
potential. An integrated remote sensing and GIS
study can provide the appropriate platform for
convergent analysis of large volumes of
multidisciplinary data and decision making for
groundwater studies. The electrical resistivity
method is the most promising and relevant
geophysical method applied in groundwater
exploration (Offodile, 2006).Any basement rock
resistivity exceeding 3000 ohm-m can be thought of
as representing fresh basement rock containing little
or no water (Olayinka et al 1996).
2. STUDY AREA
The study area is located in Jos north Local Government
area and Jos South Local Government area, Plateau
state, north central Nigeria as shown in (Fig.1). The
state is bounded by Bauchi, Kaduna, Nasarawa and
Taraba,States The accessibility of the study area is best
described in terms of transportation network, which
consists of major and minor roads with foot paths across
the whole area. The average elevation of the study area
is about 1,300m above mean sea level, with the younger
granite rocks rising above this surface.
The relief of the study area determines and controls the
flow of the river systems as well as groundwater
hydrology.The Younger Granites generally give rise to
rugged topography with steep rocky hills joint-
controlled valleys. The basement rocks generally form
low lying, poorly exposed areas, except where they are
dissected in the vicinity of the Plateau margins. The Jos-
Bukuru complex and the Naraguta hill formed the
prominent hills in the study area while the basement
rocks form the low-lying areas.
Fig1: Plateau state showing the study area
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4. MATERIALS AND METHOD
4.1 Materials
Satellite data (Nigeria Sat-X, ASTERGDEM) and
electrical resistivity data, ArcGIS 10.5 and IPI 2
WIN softwares were used for the study.
4.2 Method
The satellite data were subjected to digital image
processing for the extraction of linear features
(including rivers and lineaments).These linear
features were analyzed using the inverse distance
weighted (IDW) of spatial analysis method. The
VES data were quantitatively interpreted using
IPI2WIN geophysical software. Overburden
thicknesses were generated from VES interpretation
result and were subjected to IDW tool of spatial
analysis extension. The land use/cover was produced
using the maximum likelihood algorithm of
supervised classification method. Five thematic
maps (lineament density, drainage density, slope,
landuse/cover, overburden thickness,) were prepared
and their individual influence on ground water
systematically determined by assigning weight. The
thematic layers were subjected to Multi-Criteria
Overlay analysis in ArcGIS 10.5 environment in
order to delineate the various groundwater potential
zones. Finally groundwater potential map was
generated based on the GIS analyses. The reliability
of the groundwater potential map was validated
against the borehole yield data.
5. GEOLOGY AND HYDROGEOLOGY
The study area is covered by the Jurassic younger
granite complexes which intruded the crystalline
Precambrian Basement complex rock and overlies
by the newer and older basalts.
With respect to groundwater occurrences and
availability, these rock units weathered and fractured
at depth to form the overburden which are very thick
in some places and thin out in other places.
However, the degree of weathering and fracturing
varies with different rock types.
However, the combination of the weathered
overburden and fractured rocks yield very high
amount of groundwater. These weathered
overburden and fractured rocks has the potential of
hosting groundwater which varies in yields
depending on the thickness of the overburden and
the extent of fracturing. The weathered profile
developed above crystalline basement rocks
comprises, from top to bottom, the soil layer, the
saprolite (product of in situ chemical weathering of
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 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456-6470
the bedrock), the saprock (fractured bedrock), and
the fresh bedrockOlayinka (1996).
6. Vertical Electrical Sounding (VES)
A total of 115vertical electrical soundings (VES) using
the Schlumberger configuration and current electrode
spacing of (AB/2) 200m was employed for the study.
The depth and resistivity of the subsurface layers were
determined. The interpreted results of the geo electrical
sections indicates the presence of four subsurface
layers: top soil of thickness and resistivity values
ranging from 169 – 728 ohms metre, weathered
basement ranging from 100 – 314 ohms meter, fractured
basement ranging from 350 - 496 ohms meter, the fresh
rock bedrock ranging from 1000ohms metre to infinity.
7. GENERATION OF THEMATIC LAYERS
7.1 Drainage Network
The drainage network of the study area was derived
from ASTERGDEM data, the major rivers present in
the study area runs from southwest to northeast. All the
small river and large rivers, which are found in the
study area drain from central part to east and west
direction. Comparison of the drainage system of the
area and lineament orientation of the area has shown
that the drainage system of the area is structurally
controlled as shown in Figure 2.2following lineaments
directions. Dendritic and parallel drainage pattern are
recognized in the area as shown in Figure 2.1, which are
indicative of the presence of structures that act as
conduits or storage for sub-surface water.
Fig. 2.1: Drainage network
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Fig. 2.2: Drainage and lineament orientation
7.2 Drainage Density
The drainage density in the study area was derived in
ArcGIS using kernel density method of the spatial
analyst extension tool. Five drainage density
categories have been identified and mapped out as
shown in Figure 3.1. Very high drainage density is
found in the western, eastern and northeastern part of
the project area whereas high drainage density is
found scattered in all parts of the study area.
Moderate and low drainage density concentrates in
the southern and central part of the project area. On
the other hand, high drainage density has also been
observed as an important influencing factor of
groundwater potential in the Basement Complex
terrain (Akinwumiju, 2015). This is because shallow
(mostly unconfined) aquifers are being recharged by
river inflows particularly during the dry season. In
groundwater studies, drainage density map could be
analyzed, either as an indicator of groundwater
potential or as an inverse index of infiltration
potential. The drainage density was reclassified and
assigned weight with respect to influences of
groundwater occurrences.
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 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456-6470
Fig 3.1: Drainage density

Fig 4.1: Lineament extracted from NigeriaSat-X

Rose Plot
Azimuth Values Derived from Polylines in 'Lineament'
N = 756
Values Weighted by Polyline Length
Total Length = 768,343
Fig 3.2: Reclassified drainage density Maximum Value = 40,714
0°
0 ° 30
33 °
7.3 Lineament 33,928

Lineament are linear features in form of fold, fault, 27,143

°

60
0
joints and fractures aligned in a rectilinear or slightly
30
20,357

°
curvilinear relationship and which differ from the 13,571
33,928

27,143

20,357

13,571
pattern of adjacent features and presumably reflect some

6,786
6,786
270°

90°
subsurface phenomenon (Fig.4.1). Lineaments are zone

6,786

13,571

20,357

27,143

33,928
of increased porosity and permeability, which in turn 6,786

has greater significance in groundwater occurrence and 13,571

distribution. In the imagery they were identified on the 20,357

°
24

0
12
°0

basis of break of slope, abrupt change in stream course, 27,143

lithology, vegetation, and texture and drainage density. 21

Lineaments in the study area were extracted from
Nigeria Sat-X which consists of short and long
structures as shown in Figure 4.1. Structural trend in the
area are NE-SW majorly with some variations in the
NW-SE direction as observed from the rose plot
represented in Figure 4.2.
The lineament mapping is aided by the existence of the
geomorpho logical features such as aligned ridges and
valleys, displacement of ridge lines, scarp faces and
river passages, Straight drainage channel segments,
pronounced breaks in crystalline rock masses, and
aligned surface depressions (Hung et al 2005).
0
33,928
0 °
° 15
180°
Fig 4.2: Rose plot of lineament orientation
7.4 Lineament Density
The lineament density was calculated in ArcGIS 10.5
using the line density tool of the spatial analyst
extension as shown in Figure 5.1. The analyses
indicated that the area can be categorized into very
high, high, moderate, low and very low density (Fig
5.1). With respect to groundwater potential, the
zones of high to very high lineament intersection
densities are feasible zones for groundwater
prospecting in the study area than areas with very
low lineament density. Thus lineaments act as
conduits for groundwater flow and reservoir for
groundwater storage in the crystalline rocks. The
lineament density was reclassified with respect to
groundwater feasibility in the area.

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 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456-6470
Fig 5.1: Lineament density
Fig 5.2: Reclassified lineament density
7.5 Land Use/ Land Cover
One of the parameters that influence the occurrence of
sub-surface groundwater occurrence is the present
condition of land cover and land use of the area. The
effect of land use / cover is manifested either by
reducing runoff and facilitating, or by trapping water on
their leaf. Water droplets trapped in this way go down to
recharge groundwater. Land use/cover may also affect
groundwater negatively by evapotranspiration,
assuming interception to be constant. The land
use/cover map of the area was readily interpreted from
NIGSAT- Xby using visual interpretation and
maximum likelihood algorithm of supervised
classification as shown in Figure 6.1.
Classification of land use/cover for analysis was done
based on their character to infiltrate water in to the
ground and to hold water on the ground. Generally built
up area are found to be the least suitable for infiltration.
Reclassified map was produced based on the weight as
shown in Figure 6.2.
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Fig 6.1: Land use /cover map
Fig 6.2: Reclassified land use/cover map
7.6 Slope Steepness
The slope of the study area generally ranges between
2 and 46degrees, indicating that the terrain of the
study area is characterized by high and low
topography (Fig 7.1). The slope map shows that
favorable areas of high infiltration potential occur
within various landform units in the study area.
However, very low slope values were recorded for
gently undulating terrain, which is an indicator of
enhancing infiltration potential. Slope exerts its
influence on groundwater potential by determining
(to some extent) the rate of infiltration at any given
location within a drain age basin ( Teixeira et al.,
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 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456-6470
2008). In this case, the flatter the topography of al to inverse distance weighted (IDW) spatial analysis
and surface, the greater the time lag for runoff. in ArcGIS 10.5 version. It was found that the spatial
Generally, flat and gently sloping areas promote variation of the overburden thickness for the study
infiltration and groundwater recharge, and steeply area ranged from 3.01m to 37.85m as shown in
sloping grounds encourage run-off and little or no Figure8.1 which was reclassified with respect to
infiltration. Groundwater potentiality is expected to groundwater occurrence and feasibility as shown in
be greater in the flat and gently sloping area Figure 8.2.
(Solomon 2003). Flatter topography then will give In crystalline terrain, groundwater development is
more chance for groundwater accumulation. The promising mainly in areas with thick overburden
slope derived in the area was reclassified with (Olayinka et al 1997).The areas that are characterized
respect to groundwater accumulation as shown in by thick overburden are underlain coarse grain biotite
Figure 7.2. granite, which is known for its extremely high
groundwater potential if weathered. The groundwater
potential of the Basement Complex terrain has been
found to be highly dependent on over burden
thickness particularly where rocks have not been
significantly fractured (Ayoade, 1988; Olorunfemi,
1990). However, the groundwater potential of
weathered layer largely depends on the
physicochemical properties of the parent rocks.

Fig 7.1: Slope in degrees

Fig 8.1: Overburden thickness (m)

Fig 7.2: Reclassified slope distribution

7.7 Overburden Thickness

The overburden thickness is the depth from the
surface to the underlying crystalline hard rock with
very high resistivity values ranged from 1550 ohms-
metre to 3500 ohms-metre. These overburden
thickness values were deducted from vertical
electrical sounding conducted in 115 locations across
the study area, after being subjected to geophysical
software interpretation IPI 2 WIN and are subjected
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 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456-6470
This formula was modified by Musa et al., (2000)
from DRASTIC model, which is used to assess
ground water pollution vulnerability by
Environmental Protection Agency of the United State
of America.

9. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

Equation (1) was used to produce the groundwater
potential map as shown in Figure 9.1. GPM model
results were reclassified to four classes; very high,
high, moderate and low groundwater potential area
as shown in Figure 9.1.

From the result of the study, hydro geologically it

Fig 8.2: Reclassified overburden thickness
8. Groundwater Potential Model (GPM)
A GIS model was developed using the Multi-Criteria
Evaluation technique to generate the groundwater
potential areas that are suitable for groundwater
development. The determination of the groundwater
potential value for the area was derived from the sum of
the reclassified parameter weights (1-5) using Raster
calculator tool of the spatial analysis extension in
ArcGIS 10.5. The resulting cell values are added to
produce the final output raster map that represents
potential groundwater areas. Higher values represent a
greater potential for groundwater. For a particular area
being evaluated, each parameter classes were scaled on
an evaluated scale according to their importance to
other classes in the layer. The values were assigned in
terms of their importance with respect to groundwater
occurrences. Once each parameter has been assigned a
scale value (suitable value) it is weighted. Weight
values, from 1 to 5, express the relative importance of
the parameter with respect to each other to groundwater
occurrences. The formula of the GPMis given as;
GPM= (Sw+LDw+DDw+LULCw+OTw)……….1
was observed that groundwater occurrence in the
area is mainly localized within the secondary
porosity that is the weathered overburden and
fractured rocks of the medium to coarse grained
biotite granites. Consequently, it was found that
about 104km2representing18.4% of the study area
was classified as very high potential areas. While
about 155km2 representing 27.4% was classified as
high potential areas. Also, about 225km2representing
39.8% of was classified as moderate potential
areasandabout82km2 representing 14.5% of the
study area was classified as low potential areas as
shown from the histogram (Fig 10).The model
generated was validated against the borehole yield
data and it was found that yield obtained from
borehole across very high, high, moderate and low
groundwater potential areas yielded 2.5l/s to 4.2l/s,
1.8l/s to 2.5l/s, 1.0l/s to1.7l/s and 0.2l/s to 0.9l/s
respectively (Fig 9.2).

Where;
w= weight ranking (1-5)
S=Slope
E=Digital Elevation
LD=Lineament Density
DD=Drainage Density
LULC= Land cover types
OT= Overburden Thickness
Fig 9.1: Groundwater potential map

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 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456-6470
development of any crystalline area. The model
developed was in agreement with the borehole yield
data.
Fig 9.2: Validation of Groundwater potential map
with borehole yield (l/s)
Fig 10: Histogram showing groundwater potential
areas (Sq.Km)
CONCLUSION
In this study, four categories of groundwater
potential zones have been delineated based on
integrated approach of Remote sensing, GIS and
electrical resistivity techniques. The four categories
are; very high, high, moderate and low. The
groundwater potential map shows that Jos and
environs is envisaged to be of moderate to high
groundwater potential. Thus, it can be concluded that
groundwater prospect is suitable for large scale
groundwater development scheme to ameliorate the
water scarcity experienced during the dry period for
sustainability and economic development. It has been
established successfully that Remote sensing, GIS
and Geophysical techniques can provide the
appropriate platform for convergent analysis of large
volume of multi-disciplinary data and decision
making for groundwater exploration and
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REFERENCES
1) Akinwumiju, A. S. (2015). GIS-Based
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University, Ile-Ife,Nigeria. 316pp
2) Ayoade, J. O. (1988). Tropical Hydrology
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O.M. (1999): Hydrogeophysical Evaluation of the
Groundwater Potential of Akure Metropolis, South-
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(GIS) in the central highlands of Eritrea. Doctoral
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Stockholm.
8) Teixeira, J.; Chamine, H. I.; Marques, J. E.
(2008). Integrated Approach ofHydrogeomorphology
and GIS Mappingto the Evaluation of
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Publishers, India, 227-249
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 International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD) ISSN: 2456-6470
BIOGRAPHIES Ayegba, a former associate lecturer with Kogi state
College of Health Science and Tech., and an
instructor of Space Science and Technology with
National Centre Remote Sensing, Jos computer
school, has published many academic textbooks as
well as over twenty papers in International
Rogers RengjeDanlamiGujahar was Journals.
born in 1974 at Bwai District, Mangu Local He presently works with the Engineering and
Government Area of Plateau State, Nigeria. He Space Systems Dept. of NASRDA, Abuja, Nigeria.
obtained B.Sc (Hons) Geology & Mining in 1997 Ayegba is a member, International Society for
and M.Sc in Hydrogeology &Engineering Geology Development and Sustainability (ISDC), Institute
in 2008. He further went to The Hebrew University for Engineering Research and Publications
of Jerusalem, Israel and obtained an International (IFERP) and International Association For
Post Graduate Diploma in Water Resources Engineering and Technology (IAET).
Management, Environmental Aspects and Risk His areas of research interest are radio propagation,
Assessment in 2015. He is currently undergoing satellite communications, solar radiation &power
M.Phil/P.hD program in Environmental and system, Antennas, and Satellite power subsystem.
Resources Planning in the Faculty of Environmental
Sciences, University of Jos, Nigeria. He has worked
as Exploration Geologist with the Nigerian Mining
Corporation under Federal Ministry of Mines and
Steel Development from 1999 to 2005, Self
Sustaining Enterprise Water Supply Project (a US
based NGO being resident in Nigeria) in 2008 as
Project Officer, Federal Ministry of Mines and Steel
Development as a Geologist, and Currently a
Scientific Officer with the Advanced Space
Technology Applications Laboratory under the aegis
of National Space Research and Development
Agency (NASRDA). He has worked as a consultant
to different organizations.
He is a member of Council of Mining Engineers and
Geoscientists (COMEG), corporate member of the
Nigerian Mining and Geosciences Society (MNMGS),
member of the Nigerian Association of
Hydrogeologists (MNAH) and member of the
International Association of Hydrogeologists (IAH).

Abdullahi, Ayegba who was born in Okpachala-

Igalamela, Kogi state, Nigeria, holds HND,
Elect/Elect Eng’g of Federal Polytechnic Idah, Kogi
state, PGDE of NTI, Kaduna, PGD, Satellite
Communication of ARCSSTEE, OUA Campus, Ile-
Ife, and is currently awaiting the final defense for his
masters in Space Science and Technology.

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